2) A title that is so relatable to me as a person that it transcends being just an anime series/manga/movie.

Hmm, that's kinda interesting tbh. So, based on this, you're saying that an anime is considered a masterpiece if it relates to you in someway? (Ex. real life experience such as school, a past event, or similar character to someone you're friends with irl)

Yep, that's the great thing about storytelling in general and I often talk to a friend about how transcendent anime can be as a medium. You might not grasp it right away by just watching Sailor Moon, Dragonball Z, Inuyasha, Code Geass or whatever's popular at the time; but after watching a lot of really great anime, you begin to realize that it's not just about the story, the characters, the animation, the acting or the music; it's about all of that and so much more.

So if an anime really does influence me in a poignant way, I'm more likely to call it a masterpiece than based on technical prowess alone. And as Tanrim noted, some series are ones that affect us more personally instead of impressing us with just great animation or editing or what have you with his example being Evangelion.

Anyway, I know I'm reading too much into and fawning over a form of entertainment and in a very abstract way too, but certain anime do have the ability to affect me in a very emotional and profound way.

1) A title that stands above the rest. It is superior to everything else out there in it's same genre or demographic.

2) A title that is so relatable to me as a person that it transcends being just an anime series/manga/movie.

I'm with you on the first one but not sure about the second. Something being engrossing certainly can add to the experience when watching but I'm not sure that in and of itself makes something a masterpiece. It doesn't hurt, though.

Just my opinion the #1 on that list is definitely legit. I judge most animes by storyline. It has to be good or at least understandable to be considered a masterpiece.

The animation, VA, background music, etc comes after that.

That's actually pretty interesting and I agree, the story is very important. I'm surprised animation is actually so low on the list, though. On most sites that's the thing people seem to whine the most about, which I never really got. Never cared a great deal about the animation myself. The second thing on the list, characters, is also an important thing. I think those two make a great deal of a show. The third, voice actors, I'm not sure about. Ones that sound bad can spoil a show some but beyond that I'm not sure they are a make or break kind of thing. I wonder if that's a huge thing with western audiences or if it's more a Japanese thing. Some voice actors seem to be put on a pretty high pedestal and idolized over there like some movie or TV stars here even. Getting a bit off topic, though, so I'll leave it at that.

2) A title that is so relatable to me as a person that it transcends being just an anime series/manga/movie.

Personally, this is by and far the most important criteria for determining a masterpiece, when an anime engrosses you on an extremely personal level and therefore generally leads me to categorize it as one of my favorites. Which as you said, and I agree, that when someone typically calls something a masterpiece, it is also a favorite of theirs. Which was the point I was making with ChronicAddict in that people are bound to call something their favorite show and give it a 10, even if they know it's not perfect or the best.

Though, I also agree with Tanrim that people might be able to distinguish their own set of favorites from ones they might call a masterpiece; but most anime fans aren't that analytical.

Already said this but I'm not sure being engrossing is enough to make something a masterpiece. It can be more then enough to make something one of your favorites seeing how it adds a lot to the overall impression but Favorite ≠ Masterpiece. That said if something is able to give not only you but a lot of other people the same kind of experience then it probably is an actual masterpiece. Would give it more weight to being one, anyway.

I'd like to give people the benefit of the doubt but I'm afraid you're probably right. I can understand that a lot of people would consider favorites and masterpieces as one in the same but I'm sure there are more then a few that also try and take a broader view. That being said I'm hardly perfect myself, it's hard to be truly objective, especially when emotions get added to the mix, but I do try.

Yup, I can definitely relate to this. As most of my animes that I've watched involves school life. I mean, who hasn't been to school before? I'm starting to add alot of manga to my read-list also that relates to the school life genre.

I'm just going to add that the last factor (2) in my criteria for a masterpiece is also something that I apply towards everything. Movie, music, book, etc., and so it is with anime. A clearly personal benchmark but one that essentially should be the same with everyone.

As for Chrome and Stark bitching about digging up old threads, you two are regular posters. Aren't you tired of looking at the exact same threads all the time?

You still mad about me calling you forgettable?

And there's already a Favorite Anime thread, which is similar to this one.

I'm not still mad, but you sure haven't gotten any less irritating.

Anyway, since this has come up again, I suppose I should explain why you are wrong about liking an anime being the same as it being a really good anime. I'll use Air Gear as an example. I thoroughly enjoyed this anime, and will always love it, however I would never rank it as one of the best anime that I have seen. This anime relies heavily on how much you buy into the "coolness factor" of the Air Trecks. The story itself isn't incredibly impressive. Going into it more would be getting off topic.

You see how I both recognize and can admit the flaws in something that I love? This is something that seems to be completely beyond you. Even in a super popular show like your beloved One Piece there are flaws. Just because so many people like it does NOT negate the fact that those flaws exist. Take a step back and try to look at things objectively.

EDIT: It looks like other people already pretty much covered what I said, but I didn't catch up on the thread until after this post. Oh well.

That's the one that you have an issue with? Haha, it's my personal opinion -shrugs-
Maybe it is a little far-fetched to call it a masterpiece, but it's still a good show.
.

Any show that dedicates 91 straight episodes of filler garbage isn't what I'd call a masterpiece.

I haven't watched the whole show either, if you must know. 91 straight episodes of filler? Damn. Maybe it's different in the manga. Either way, it was a huge influence to me so I'm keeping my opinion. Go nit-pick at someone else's answers lol.

Anyway, since this has come up again, I suppose I should explain why you are wrong about liking an anime being the same as it being a really good anime. I'll use Air Gear as an example. I thoroughly enjoyed this anime, and will always love it, however I would never rank it as one of the best anime that I have seen. This anime relies heavily on how much you buy into the "coolness factor" of the Air Trecks. The story itself isn't incredibly impressive. Going into it more would be getting off topic.

You see how I both recognize and can admit the flaws in something that I love? This is something that seems to be completely beyond you. Even in a super popular show like your beloved One Piece there are flaws. Just because so many people like it does NOT negate the fact that those flaws exist. Take a step back and try to look at things objectively.

EDIT: It looks like other people already pretty much covered what I said, but I didn't catch up on the thread until after this post. Oh well.

Oooh. Long post.
This should have made more sense.

But the thing is, not everyone has the time and patience like you do to analyze an anime, whether it is a masterpiece or not.
Some people will just happen to love an anime and call it a masterpiece. Is that SO hard for you to understand?

And you are saying these things as if they were facts. Not everyone is like you.
But I guess you're just that unbelievably arrogant. Well, it doesn't surprise me anymore.